§ Mr. MeacherTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what measures are taken to ensure that the full range of potential social and environmental impacts are adequately considered prior to the approval of projects funded by the World bank.
§ Mr. Lennox-BoydThe World bank prepares a paper based on its policy guidelines, which are published, containing a full assessment of any significant social and environmental impact of a planned project well in advance of executive board consideration. This assessment is circulated to members of the board and is available to non-governmental organisations in the country concerned.
§ Mr. MeacherTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what is the Government's policy on reporting its views and voting position on World bank projects.
§ Mr. Lennox-BoydThe proceedings of the World bank board's consideration of projects are confidential, in order not to inhibit full and frank discussion in the board.